Inside Unmanned Systems

APR-MAY 2018

Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.

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20 April/May 2018 unmanned systems
inside
SPECIAL REPORT NASA TECHNOLOGY
Other Licensable
Technology Sources
MIT
tlo.mit.edu/
Stanford
otl.stanford.edu/
University of North Dakota
http://und.edu/research/about/
division-offi ces/corporate-
engagement-commercialization/
index.cfm
University of New Mexico
stc.unm.edu/
Global Hawk drone) over hurricanes to
launch dropsondes—sensor packages
on parachutes that take measurements
of temperature, pressure, winds, and
humidity as they drop.
"What we expect is that if UAS can
really stay a couple of hundred miles
away, equipped with some of these sen-
sors and then it can provide useful in-
formation about (a hurricane's) strength
and about direction," Shams said.
Commercial pilots could also ben-
efit from infrasound triangulation by
having trios of sensors installed on
planes. The sensors could detect clear
air turbulence and alert pilots so they
are able to steer clear. Though Shams
declined to give details, he said NASA
is already working with one company
that is looking at this idea.
EARTHQUAKE WARNINGS
Infrasound is useful for more than de-
tecting atmospheric disturbances. The
same low frequency sounds have also
been found to signal imminent earth-
quakes, aftershocks and tsunamis.
Drones with sensors could be deployed
to spot check or monitor trouble-prone
areas.
(Tension Actuated in Space MANipulator)
Patent 9,168,659
TALISMAN
TALISMAN is a NASA technology with exceptional reach. The successor to the Remote Manipulator System used by NASA's
space shuttles, TALISMAN uses an order of magnitude of less power and space for a system with a mass that also has been
reduced by an order of magnitude.
The system uses structural links connected by elbow-like joints that, like a human elbow, allow movement in the same plane.
Where a forearm, however, has only about 180 degrees
of motion, a TALISMAN joint enables a link to swing a
full 360 degrees.
The system can be any length, with as many joints as
desired, and is adjustable even while in use. Shoulder-
like joints at the base give it enormous range and cables
reminiscent of those in a suspension bridge—cables
that can be adjusted by spreaders for mechanical
advantage—add stiff ness.
"There are cables that go from the top of the spreaders
to the end of the links and those operate very much like
ligaments in your fi nger," said William Doggett, a NASA
Langley aerospace technologist.
The current system uses square, extruded aluminum
tubing with the sides cut out to reduce weight, though
it can be made of other material—including fi berglass
or plastics suited to marine applications. The design
can be used to work underwater if there are not strong
currents, Doggett said, and on the water's surface with
fl oats—for example, for environmental remediation or
to articulate fl oating barriers.
Photos courtesy of NASA.